Spain survived a scare in their final World Cup group game as VAR and Iran’s late goal against Portugal saw them finish top of Group B following a dramatic 2-2 draw against an outstanding Morocco Atlas Lions.
The North African side, already out of the tournament, twice took the lead in Kalinigrad, first through Khalid Boutaib before substitute Youssef En-Nesyri headed home after Isco had equalised for Spain.
Boutaib stunned the 2010 world champions when he nab stole the ball from the feet of Sergio Ramos and Andreas Iniesta to run through and slide the ball under David de Gea to score Morocco’s first goal at a World Cup finals since a 3-0 win over Scotland in 1998.
The goal was a wakeup call for Fernando Hierro’s side, it was just five minutes before, having been at the heart of the build-up to the goal, Real Madrid’s Isco took a fine touch to bring Iniesta’s square under control before firing home from six yards out.
Spain were far from safe, however, easily undone once more when a quick throw-in, orchestrated from the technical area by manager Herve Renard, allowed goalscorer Boutaib through on goal once more, De Gea equal to the task this time making his first save of this World Cup.
Hierro’s side survived a nervy first half to go in level at the break but within ten minutes of the restart they could have been behind again when Watford’s Nordin Amrabat clattered the angle of post and bar with a wonderful effort from outside the box.
Having held firm at the back when Romain Saïss headed clear from Isco’s effort, they still had the chance to take something away from this World Cup and, from the bench Malaga’s En-Nesyri delivered.
The centre-forward, making his World Cup debut, rose high above Ramos and thumped a delightful header past De Gea.
A short corner, and VAR, somewhat saved Spain’s blushes when Iago Aspas flicked home, only to see the official’s flag raised for offside. A review saw the goal awarded.
Spain have survived for now, with help from their neighbours Portugal, and will now face hosts Russia in the round of sixteen.
